The meetings and events team at Croke Park has produced an e-book detailing the GAA HQ’s journey from ‘green goals’ to success with sustainability.

Before the pandemic, the team would typically run more than 2,000 business meetings and events each year, from multi-day international conferences and breakfast briefings, to gala dinners and corporate sales meetings. 

But since March they’ve had some time on their hands, and the result is ‘From Lofty Ambition to Lived Dream: Our Sustainability Story’, which can be downloaded free here.

So what has been achieved? According to the new publication, all waste at the stadium is recycled, reused, or recovered as solid fuel — absolutely none is sent to landfill.

And there are other significant gains:

In Association with

• The stadium sustainability programme has led to a reduction of almost 75% in carbon emissions.
• Croke Park was the first stadium in the world to be certified to the newest international Environmental Standard, ISO 14001.
• Croke Park Farm grows turf for pitch maintenance and reduces carbon emissions associated with importation. It also features beehives and a kitchen garden.
• Menus feature more than 85% local, regional, and own produce.

Head of business Mark Dorman said: “Considering how much is now written on sustainability, it’s hard to believe that over a decade ago there was comparatively little discourse around it. Our sustainability story started in earnest in 2007 and since then, we have been on a learning journey that has brought rich and varied rewards.”

Guy Bigwood, who has the title of chief changemaker at the Global Destination Sustainability Movement, added: “When it comes to sustainability, Croke Park is up there amongst the global innovators. Croke Park is truly setting universal standards across all aspects of sustainability, from energy, waste and water, to biodiversity, community and accessibility."